Strawberry Chamoyada is a vibrant and refreshing Mexican drink that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. Blended with fresh strawberries, orange juice, lime, and chamoy (a savory-sweet Mexican apricot syrup), this frozen treat is as visually stunning as it is flavorful. Topped with more strawberries, chili powder, and extra chamoy, it’s a fun and zesty dessert drink you’ll crave all summer long.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 4 cups ice, chopped

• 1½ cups natural orange juice

• 1 cup liquid chamoy (Mexican apricot syrup)

• 2½ cups California strawberries, sliced into quarters

• ⅓ cup natural lime juice

• 4 tablespoons chili powder

Directions

1. Blend half the ice with the orange juice. Set aside.

2. Reserve half the chamoy and half the strawberries for topping.

3. Blend the remaining chamoy, strawberries, and lime juice until smooth.

4. Fill half a glass with the orange mixture and the other half with the strawberry mixture.

5. Top with reserved strawberries, chamoy, and chili powder.

Nutrients (Per 10 oz serving, approx.)

• Calories: 103 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 23g

• Protein: 3g

• Fat: 2g

• Sugar: 14g

• Fiber: 5g

• Sodium: 1482mg

What Is a Chamoyada?

A chamoyada (also known as a raspado con chamoy or mangonada when made with mango) is a popular Mexican frozen treat traditionally made with shaved ice, fruit, chamoy sauce, and chili powder. It’s part slushy, part drink, and all about the balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty. Chamoy—a savory, sweet, and spicy condiment made from pickled fruit like apricots or plums—is the heart of the flavor profile. It’s often paired with tropical fruits, citrus juice, and tajín or other chili-lime blends.

In this version, juicy California strawberries take center stage, creating a chamoyada that’s fruity, tart, and layered with complexity.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Chamoyada

• No added sugar required: The natural sweetness of strawberries and orange juice makes it perfectly sweet without syrups or artificial sweeteners.

• Bold and balanced: The heat of the chili powder and chamoy meets the cool fruitiness of strawberries, tempered by the brightness of lime and orange.

• Refreshing and hydrating: With ice and citrus juices as the base, this is the ultimate thirst quencher.

• Fun to serve: The vivid red and orange layers, the glistening chamoy drizzle, and the chili-dusted topping make this drink a showpiece at any gathering.

• Easy to customize: Adjust the chili-lime ratio, sweetness, or even swap fruits to suit your taste.

Flavor Profile: A Fiesta in a Glass

Every sip or spoonful of this Strawberry Chamoyada hits with:

Sweetness from ripe strawberries and natural orange juice
Tanginess from fresh lime juice and chamoy
Spiciness from chili powder, often Tajín or ground chile-lime seasoning
Savoriness from the salty-sweet chamoy
Chill factor from crushed ice and frozen textures

This flavor layering is what makes Mexican snacks and drinks like chamoyadas so unique and memorable—they engage every part of the palate.

Health & Nutrition Highlights

While this dessert-drink feels indulgent, it’s made mostly with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients:

• Strawberries provide vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants

• Lime and orange juice deliver hydration and immune-boosting citrus power

• Chamoy, used in moderation, adds tangy flavor without excessive sugar

• No dairy or fat-heavy bases, keeping it light and vegan-friendly

• Relatively low-calorie (~103 kcal per 10 oz serving) compared to milkshakes or creamy smoothies

The high sodium content comes mostly from the chamoy and chili seasoning, which you can moderate as desired without sacrificing the vibrant taste.

Perfect Times to Serve Chamoyadas

• Summer parties or barbecues

• Cinco de Mayo or Mexican Independence Day celebrations

• Poolside refreshments or afternoon cool-downs

• Street food-style desserts for themed dinners or events

• Kids’ parties (adjust spice level!)

• Mocktail alternatives at brunch or happy hour

This chamoyada is as festive as it is flavorful, making it a standout choice for serving guests or treating yourself.

Tips for the Best Chamoyada Experience

• Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best balance against the spicy chamoy. Frozen strawberries can work in a pinch.

• Crushed or chipped ice blends more easily and results in a smoother slushy texture.

• Layer your drink carefully to keep the orange juice and strawberry blends distinct for that iconic layered look.

• Drizzle chamoy on the sides of the glass before pouring for extra drama and flavor.

• Use Tajín or a mix of chili powder and sea salt for a spiced rim or topping that enhances every sip.

• Serve immediately to enjoy the icy, semi-frozen texture before it melts into a juice-like consistency.

Fun Variations to Try

Chamango: Swap strawberries for mango chunks for the classic mangonada version.
Chamoy Float: Add a scoop of lime or mango sorbet for an ultra-refreshing twist.
Spicy Tamarindo: Add a drizzle of tamarind syrup and garnish with a tamarind candy straw.
Chamoy Margarita: Add a splash of tequila and a salted rim for a grown-up version.
Layered Popsicles: Freeze the strawberry and orange layers in popsicle molds for chamoyada paletas.

Ingredient Spotlight: Chamoy

Chamoy is a uniquely Mexican condiment made from pickled fruit (often apricots or plums), chiles, lime juice, and sugar. It’s sweet, sour, salty, and spicy—all at once—and adds a signature tangy heat to countless snacks and drinks. In chamoyadas, it acts as both a sauce and a seasoning, boosting fruit flavors and providing that crave-worthy chili-lime twist.

You can find chamoy in bottles at Latin grocery stores or online. For DIY lovers, homemade chamoy can be made with dried fruit, chiles, sugar, and vinegar blended and simmered to syrupy perfection.

Conclusion

Strawberry Chamoyada is the ultimate expression of Mexico’s bold flavor traditions—sweet, spicy, tart, and totally refreshing. With whole fruit, zesty lime, and vibrant chamoy layered over ice, this frozen treat brings the party to your taste buds. It’s a fun, festive, and surprisingly wholesome drink that’s as much a celebration of culture as it is a delicious way to beat the heat. Whether you’re enjoying it solo or serving a crowd, chamoyada is summer in a glass—and a guaranteed favorite from the first sip.